Faculty Member Thomas A. Brown Passes Away

Longtime faculty member of the University of Florida College of Dentistry Thomas A. Brown, Ph.D., passed away on August 6, 2014, at Haven Hospice in Gainesville, Florida.

Brown was a professor in the UF Department of Oral Biology for 30 years, joining in September 1984 as an assistant professor in oral biology.

“Tom was extremely well respected in his field nationally and internationally, and at this university, and touched the lives of three decades of students, faculty and staff as they moved through our college,” said Boyd Robinson, D.D.S., M.Ed., interim dean of the UF College of Dentistry.

Brown earned his bachelor’s in chemistry in 1972 and his doctorate in microbiology in 1978, both from UF. He was a member of the American Society for Microbiology, the International/American Association of Immunologists, the Society for Immunology and the American Association for Dental Research.

Robinson says that Brown’s expertise in immunology and mucosal immunity provided a foundation of understanding for the college’s D.M.D students and helped shape the D.M.D. curriculum. Brown was also an active mentor for faculty and graduate students over the years.

“Tom was a trusted friend and advisor for many of us at the college and held everyone to high standards of excellence, no one more than himself. He will be missed,” Robinson said.

A memorial service is planned for August 16 at 11 a.m. at Milam Funeral Home, 311 S. Main Street, Gainesville. His family asks that anyone who wishes to make a donation in his honor can give to the UF College of Dentistry or Haven Hospice.

For donations in Dr. Brown’s name

UF College of Dentistry: Check or credit card donations should be made to the UF Foundation to fund #003111 with a gift code included of “GDGBO.” You can call the foundation at 877-351-2377, go online to the foundation’s website here or mail to the UF Foundation, PO Box 14425, Gainesville, FL 32604-2425. Please contact Tom LaFleur, tlafleur@dental.ufl.edu or 273-5779 for more information.